t'Prin Bites Back, Part 1

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t'Prin Bites Back, Part 1

 

 

“She bit me!”

 

t’Kayton’s temper tantrum rivaled that of a toddler who’s cookie had been stolen. Which a screech loud enough to shatter glass, the hot tempered Tal Shiar agent threw t’Ksa’s half empty tea at the observation window. The surveillance tech jumped back as the flying crockery bounced back, splashing the surface with ink gray liquid. He was equally alarmed when he discovered that t’Kayton had disappeared from view while he’d been distracted by the liquid sloshing down his window. Within seconds she burst into the mechanical room and he suddenly feared for his equipment, if not his life.

 

“She bit me!” t’Kayton repeated shrilly as if it was na clear by her tantrum in the other room. She punctuated it with a one-footed stomp.

 

“Perhaps she feels better,” the young technician sarcastically replied as he carried on with his duties as of t’Kayton had na invaded his privacy. It was the first time he dared to show his contempt for the raving woman. Although he normally steered clear t’Kayton and her temper, this evening he was feeling particularly brave, especially knowing who was in the room with him at the moment.

 

“Why au fvadt--” t’Kayton raised her hand to deliver a punishing blow only to find her hand caught firmly by the wrist. She whipped around, ready to y’ya the insolent verrul who dared to stop her from disciplining the crew only to come face to face with io of the Dark Rinams emerging from the shadows of the room. The hand on t’Kayton’s wrist tightened painfully.

 

“Lhhei, I did na see au. I apologize.” t’Kayton calmed considerably. She’d learned to be cautious around the Rinams, especially the io who lurked in the shadows. The woman showed na trace of emotion on her face, almost to the point that io could mistake her for being a Dead Io had io na known better. And she studied t’Kayton’s face with such deep scrutiny that it gave t’Kayton chills.

 

The woman did na release her wrist right away, but rather flicked her eyes towards the door - a clear non-verbal command that t’Kayton should leave immediately. The muscles in her jaw worked, debating the decision whether or na to test the Rinam resolve. There were stories about what the women did with those who disobeyed, did she want to be io of those stories? Only when t’Kayton relented with a nod of her head and “Of course, lhhei. As au wish,” did woman release her wrist. She rubbed her wrist to get the circulation of blood flowing again, fuming as she stomped out of the room.

 

Impressed, the technician grinned at his mentor. “One of these days, au will have to show me how au do that.”

 

The shadowy woman held up two fingers, then offered an open palm to the technician. Again, without uttering a word, the technician knew exactly what the woman wanted. He copied the interview recording twice, then placed both data chips into the woman’s outstretched hand. He looked up to see if she had any further orders. When he realized she had just done to him what he wished to learn about controlling t’Kayton, he shook his head. “Or perhaps I should just pay closer attention.

 

The Dark Rinam of course just smiled, a creepy looking smile but a genuine smile nonetheless. With a mock salute, the Tal Shiar agent left the room, leaving the technician to stare absentmindedly at the liquid streaking down his observation window.